A Dispatch from Reuters (Warner Bros.) (1940)

DISPATCHES... (REUTER’S—OPENING DAY ‘Reuter’s’, Timely, Exciting Film, Opening Today A picture as timely and exciting as the latest news bulletin will open at the Strand Theatre today when Warner Bros.’ “A Dispatch From Reuter’s” starring Edward G. Robinson, starts its local run. The screen has brought to the front the stories of many famous people but never before has it revealed the tale of a person so widely heard of, but so little known. Robinson plays the part of Julius Reuter, whose speedy dispatches held within them the fate of empires and who did more to form the ethical credo of news gathering than any man in history. He first had the idea of finding some way to speed up the traveling of news when he was a child. Never forgetting his childhood ambition, he and his friend, played by Eddie Albert, open a news agency and use pigeons to carry the news between towns which have no telegraph. As years go on the Reuter’s News Agency becomes more and more associated with dramatic and = far-reaching events despite attempts to place obstacles in his path. Edna Best portrays his sympathetic wife who drives home the lesson that the duty of a reporter is first to his people and secondly to his paper. Others in the cast include Albert Basserman, Gene Lockhart, Otto Kruger, Nigel Bruce, Montagu Love. (REUTER’S—PREPARED REVIEW ‘A Dispatch From Reuter’s’ Is Screen Masterpiece Robinson Brilliant in Reuter Role When the screen masterpieces of this decade are reckoned, “A Dispatch From Reuter’s”’ will be among them for the Strand Theatre’s newest entry is a beautifully done screen document from every standpoint— direction, performance and allaround production quality—an important impressive screen event. Dedicated to the Fourth Estate, “A Dispatch From Reuter’s” dramatizes the life story of the founder of the first worldwide news service, From boyhood, Julius Reuter was _ obsessed by the desire “to make the world a little smaller” through a more rapid circulation of vital news. Dauntless courage and inconquerable optimism speeded him to this goal. As Reuter, Edward G. Robinson presents a brilliantly etched portrait in an outstanding performance rivalling that which he gave as “Dr. Ehrlich.” He is supported by a uniformly excellent cast. There is Eddie Albert, whose insouciant charm in the role of Reuter’s associate injects a bright note of gayety into the story. There is Albert Basserman, 70-year old refugee actor whose fine work in American pictures have brought him over-night fame. There is Edna Best to lend charm and beauty to the role of Mrs. Reuter. Gene Lockhart con tributes one of his most realistic jobs as a conniving banker. The narrative covers a period of some thirty years—the middle of the nineteenth century—during which Reuter, starting with a small pigeon post to bridge communication gaps, builds up a news gathering and desseminating agency which covers the world. Dramatic highlights of the story are the speedy dispatch of Louis Napoleon’s announcement of an armistice after the Crimean war—first news story to appear in the London papers under a line which was to become world famous: “According to a dispatch from Reuter’s”; and the beat scored by Reuter’s in reporting Lincoln’s assassination. Eloquently interwoven with the main theme of Reuter’s work is his tender love story. William Dieterle’s sympthetic direction deserves the highest praise for he has achieved a careful balance between the absorbingly human side of the story and the epochal nature of the film’s message—namely, the building of democracy’s greatest weapon, a free but responsible press. He has kept the film moving briskly, getting his story across with action rather than_ lengthy dialogue. The screen play by Milton Krims is based on the story by Valentine Williams and Wolfgang Wilhelm. Mat 204—30c Reuter’s’ Film To Be Held Over For Second Week It seems fitting that the biggest sereen news scoop of the year should have the largest advance ticket sale of the year and Warner Bros. new, thrilling film, starring Edward G. Robinson, “A Dispatch From Reuter’s,” now at the Strand Theatre, lives up to those expectations. During the first few days of the picture’s run the theatre was packed solid and when there was no indication of a letup after a week had passed the Management found it necessary to announce that the picture would be held over for an extended run. Robinson plays the role of Julius Reuter, the man who made his dream of dispatching world-shaking events rapidly from one nation to another, come true. Edna Best portrays his wife and shows what great influence she had in molding some of the fine ideas that made Reuter’s name synonymous with unbiased news reporting. Eddie AIbert plays the part of his lifelong friend who gave him most needed encouragement. William Dieterle directed the film and set a pace that makes the picture as exciting as the morning headlines. Milton Krims wrote the screen play from a story by Valentine Williams and Wolfgang Wilhelm. Mat 202—30¢ REUTER'S, INC.—Edward G. Robinson as Julius Reuter and Edna Best as his wife, ally and aide, carry the dramatic principal roles in "A Dispatch From Reuter's,"' current hit film at the Strand. ON THE SET—Edward G. Robinson and Albert Basserman received a. visit from Noel Coward at the studio during the filming of their new picture, "A Dispatch From Reuter's," currently showing at the Strand. EDWARD G. ROBINSON — Known to nearly all the world as "Little Caesar" .. .from the title of one of his most famous films . . . Native of Roumania, raised in New York graduated from Columbia U. Began stage career as vaudeville monologist .. . good stage roles next . . . Theatre Guild stardom, then Hollywood... Famed as film gangster, he recently did turnabout with "Dr. Ehrlich’ role won wide acclaim . . . Now starring in "A Dispatch From Reuter's. EDNA BEST—Walked out on a Holly wood contract nine years ago because she was scared .. . Returned last year to play in "Intermezzo" and ''Swiss Family Robinson" . . . Soundly estab lished there now, she has just finished playing Mrs. Reuter in "A Dispatch From Reuter's" . . . English-born, she was well-known on London stage... . e PERSONAL NOTES e EDDIE ALBERT—Got his theatrical experience by appearing on “amateur night" programs . . . Born in Rock Island, Ill... After two years at Univ. of Minnesota, headed east, garnered whatever jobs he could find in entertainment field . . . Hit jackpot with “Brother Rat’ role . . . Hollywood asked him to do it again for pictures. ALBERT BASSERMAN—At 70, making his second climb up the ladder to fame ... Native of Germany, was one of the most celebrated European stage stars .. . Came the black days of Hitler and Basserman went into voluntary exile . . . Small role in “Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet" won him immediate acclaim in U.S.A., and he has played since in "Knute Rockne—All American," ‘Foreign Correspondent,’ and his latest film "A Dispatch From Reuter's'' coming to the Strand today. GENE LOCKHART — Writes short stories, radio scripts and songs as a sideline to playing fine character roles in Hollywood .. . Newest of these is the banker in "A Dispatch From Reuter's' . . . Teamed for years with his wife, Kathleen, in vaudeville, on stage and in radio serials . . . Role of the informer in "Algiers'' won him widest praise. OTTO KRUGER—Began his career as an electrical engineer in Toledo, Ohio . . . Dropped this when he became interested in the stage ... Made a name for himself on Broadway, alternating between stage and screen... Recent pictures have included "Thanks For the Memory," ‘Another Man," and "Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet" . . . Currently featured in "A Dispatch From Reuter's."' NIGEL BRUCE—Known as the clown prince of the British "colony" in Hol ‘lywood . .. Typically British, he was born in Ensenada, Calif. of British parents . . . Was raised in England .. « Educated for banking, he went to war instead, then turned to acting . » » Constantly in demand in Hollywood for character roles . . . Newest film is "A Dispatch From Reuter's." MONTAGU LOVE—A newspaper artist in London, Love got his introduction to the theatrical world by sketching actors... Finally gave up his art to become a professional player... Played on London stage, toured world in Shakespearian repertoire .. . Shaw plays on Broadway . . . Succumbed to the lure of the camera and became one of Hollywood's most famous character players . . . Newest role is in "A Dispatch From Reuter's." JAMES STEPHENSON—Born in Selby, Yorkshire some 35 years ago . Amateur theatricals interested him so much that he finally gave up business and went professional . . . While playing the lead in "Storm in a Teacup," he was spotted by Warner Bros’. Irving Asher, and signed for pictures . . » Made some films for Warners in England, then came to Hollywood ... "A Dispatch From Reuter's"” is his latest film. WILLIAM DIETERLE — Came to America steeped in the traditions of the Reinhardt Theater, where he had spent nine years working with the great master . . . Almost giant-sized, he is surprisingly soft-spoken . . . Responsible for such film masterpieces as Academy Award winner, "The Life of Emile Zola," "Juarez"... "A Dispatch From Reuter's"' is his latest. 11